GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Inverse , a. [L. inversus, p. p. of invertere: cf. F. inverse. See Invert.]
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   Opposite in order, relation, or effect; reversed; inverted; reciprocal; -- opposed to direct.
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   (Bot.) Inverted; having a position or mode of attachment the reverse of that which is usual.
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   (Math.) Opposite in nature and effect; -- said with reference to any two operations, which, when both are performed in succession upon any quantity, reproduce that quantity; as, multiplication is the inverse operation to division. The symbol of an inverse operation is the symbol of the direct operation with -1 as an index. Thus sin-1 x means the arc or angle whose sine is x.
   1913 Webster
   Inverse figures (Geom.), two figures, such that each point of either figure is inverse to a corresponding point in the order figure. -- Inverse points (Geom.), two points lying on a line drawn from the center of a fixed circle or sphere, and so related that the product of their distances from the center of the circle or sphere is equal to the square of the radius. -- Inverse ratio, or Reciprocal ratio (Math.), the ratio of the reciprocals of two quantities. -- Inverse proportion, or Reciprocal proportion, an equality between a direct ratio and a reciprocal ratio; thus, 4 : 2 : : ⅓ : ⅙, or 4 : 2 : : 3 : 6, inversely.
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2.       
   Inverse, n. That which is inverse.
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   Thus the course of human study is the inverse of the course of things in nature.
   Tatham.
   
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